On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates concluded their series with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Following a 5-2 loss, the Pirates officially lost the series by dropping 3 of 4 games to the Brew Crew.
Due to the MLB trade deadline this week, there has been immense roster shuffling happening across MLB, and the Pirates are no stranger to that. On Thursday, they released a nine-year MLB vet from their organization who used to be a prominent pitcher in the league.
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Pittsburgh Pirates Released Mike Clevinger on Thursday
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 08: Closing pitcher Mike Clevinger #52 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after giving up the winning run on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 08, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the White Sox 1-0. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Pirates announced via the MiLB.com transaction tracker, that pitcher Mike Clevinger has been released from their organization:
“Indianapolis Indians released RHP Mike Clevinger.”
Mike Clevinger signed a free agent deal with the Pirates back in February and did not pitch with the Majors club. He was recently reinstated from the IL in late June, and over 30.1 IP this season (with three different minors teams), Clevinger boasted an ERA of 4.15 with 30 strikeouts.
Clevinger, 35, has spent nine seasons in MLB with three different clubs.
CBSSports’ RotoWire staff wrote (on 8/6) about the release:
“After turning in a 4.74 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 24.2 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, Clevinger elected to activate his release clause and will now seek out another opportunity in the open market. The 35-year-old has made just 12 appearances in the big leagues since 2024 and is unlikely to attract more than a minor-league deal at this stage in his career.”
He’s now officially a free agent, and any team can ink him to some sort of contract.
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Mike Clevinger’s MLB Career at a Glance
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Clevinger #52 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on September 24, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Clevinger last pitched with the Chicago White Sox in 2025. Over 5.2 IP, he allowed five earned runs and was eventually cut loose by the Chi Sox.
He debuted with Cleveland in 2016 and spent five quality seasons there, where he was somewhat of a household name. Across 523.1 innings (and 88 starts) with Cleveland, he posted an ERA of 3.20.
His lifetime ERA sits at 3.55 over 809+ innings and 822 strikeouts, which are very solid numbers.
After his stint with Cleveland came to an end, injuries started to hit Clevinger. He missed all of the 2021 season, but then, fast-forwarding to 2024, he logged just 16 innings (6.75 ERA).
It’s certainly plausible that another team takes a chance on Mike Clevinger, but retirement is also in the cards for the 35-year-old right-hander.
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